I spotted a NEW (insert make/model) today!

rockylee

It was a sharp car and liked it. Hope the next Generation will be even nicer.

Rocky

ateixeira

Saw a Mazda5 yesterday.

Chevy Equinox at lunch, too.

Pathfinder as well, those have been out for a while, now.

Tribeca - the light seafoam color, sort of light greenish.

-juice

lemko

Ford Explorer
VW Toureg
Mitsubishi Eclipse

fintail

I've seen many new style Lexus ES Supercamrys lately...better looking than the previous one

ateixeira

It finally got a worthy engine...

navigator89

a ton of new Explorers today, probably about 6, in mineral grey and beige. Looks great.

Also saw a black Nissan Pathfinder, and a light green Range Rover Sport.

And also a beige Kia Optima EX-V6, my first one. It was parked so I only saw the back end, and it looks great!

odie6l

The Mazda5, even though I see a bunch on the lots, are still a vehicle that seems to be UTR (Under The Radar).

Odie

lemko

...another Buick Lucerne CXL - silver gray one.

gsemike

I saw my first recently as well. I really really like it. As I'm heading into my child rearing years (my first is on the way), I'm glad that someone is making a minivan that is actually mini. It looks like it would be plenty big enough for a family of 4 and could actually remain a little agile.

I almost bought a 6 a few years ago but I hated the seats. If I get into van mode, let's see if I can handle the seats in the 5.

prosa

Around noon today I spotted my first CX-7. Not on the road, but parked in front of the local Mazda dealership in a spot visible to everyone driving by on the main road. I first thought it was a 6 wagon. It was a bit smaller than I would have expected. Not bad looking, though I wonder if rear visibility might be limited given the low roofline. Also, has Mazda given any thought as to whether the CX-7 might compete with the 5?
Later in the day I saw a Milan in the next lane with a Fusion following right behind. Both were white, which actually made it easier to compare the two. Seeing them close together clearly illustrates what "badge engineering" really means. Even someone who didn't know anything about cars could see at a glance that they are basically the same vehicle. That being said, I'd say the Milan is the more attractive of the two - or, more accurately, that the Fusion is the less attractive of the two, given its cheap-looking taillights and that ghastly Multiblade Shaving System grille!
Finally, in the evening I saw an orange Gallardo heading eastbound on the Long Island Expressway, no doubt on the way home from a weekend in the Hamptons. I actually heard it overtaking me before it came into sight. Its license plate read "Sunny 06." Well heck, dude, of course 2006's been a bright sunny year for you, seeing that you can afford a Gallardo - rub it in a little more, won't you :P

carguy58

seen a couple 06 Miata's pop of late. I guess its the weather this time of year that people are going to start buying cars with soft-tops. You have to keep in mind I live in NJ where it gets cold in October and snows maybe until March. Reportedly, Mazda has a very low inventory of Miata's now.

merc1

Top down, two new Jaguar XKs. Stunning, but that front end....

Also saw a new Volvo C70 with its top down on I-290. Nice.

M

ateixeira

I see a lot of them, maybe they are just popular around here.

It drives really well, you should try one out. I went to Zoom Zoom Live and took one on the autocross course, it was quicker than any van has the right to be.

The CX7 has less space but had AWD and the turbo. That plus prices will keep them from overlapping.

The 5 lacks stability control, AWD, and perhaps an upgrade engine to really sell in big numbers. But it has exceeded targets.

-juice

fintail

I saw a new M5 today...it was nice of course...you could tell what it was from the way it sat.

Also a F430 Spider, red of course...it was amusing as the driver looked like a real-life embodiment of a grown up Martin Prince from 'The Simpsons'....dorky looking kinda fat middle aged guy in a weird visor/hat and odd glasses. Another Microsoft millionaire maybe.

ghulet

...forgive me for being lazy, but what's its pricing like? I'm assuming they've kept the high-tech stuff and larger engines off to keep prices down. I think, if they promote it right, it could do well versus lower-priced minivans or smaller SUVs. It seems to bridge the gap pretty well. The TV commercial I saw for the CX7 showed an example that stickered a bit north of $30k, so I imagine the 5 is considerably cheaper, again to compete with the smaller vehicles (I'm guessing/hoping $19-25k or so). Considering how large and costly some 'mini' vans have become, I think there should be a considerable market for something a bit more reasonable, especially for small, young families who don't want the stigma of a minivan or the piggishness of most SUVs.

fintail

I was standing in my living room not long ago, and something caught the corner of my eye driving down my street...I spotted a tan car with a carriage top, so I looked over to see what kind of vintage car was driving by. It was an 06 DTS, in light tan with a darker carriage top. Classy!

kyfdx

I'm pretty sure that most Mazda5's are selling for under $20K...

Mazda5: Prices Paid & Buying Experience

ateixeira

Saw a Honda Fit, while I was getting gas. I swear he looked over and stuck out his tongue. :P



-juice

lemko

...a white Buick Lucerne - uncommon three-holer. Also spotted new black Honda Accord with the revised taillights.

teds1

I saw two f430 spyders in the last few days (one parked in my waaay uptown neighborhood) as well as a Flying spur.
The new Merc GL450 in white
Another SL65
M6 ... Vader's car, very cool although I don't think I'd buy one.
There is a car under a sheet in my father's garage (which also has a maybach 57 in it as well as the M6 mentioned above)that I swear is a 959 although I can't be sure. I can't think of any other porsche's with that exact shape. If it is one that is hyper rare

stickguy

CX-7. I stopped at the dealer (is that cheating?), and they had two out front. One was fro driving, but I didn't bother (or get to sit inside, since I never spoke to a salesperson).

I think it looks OK, certainly not generic styling! The interior looks pretty sharp, and seems to have plenty of rear leg room, and cargo space too.

The front drive touring was 17.2ish K, and the GT AWD was just a tick over 30K, so probably comparable to the new Acura.

I would be curious to see how they drive, but MPG wasn't too hot considering it is a 4 cyl, although a pretty hot one, and I imagine that the CX is pretty porky.

Actually, speaking of porky, I saw a test the other day (in one of my magazines I haven't gotten around to reading) of the RDX (that the right name for the Acura?), and it weighed in at about 3,950 pounds. What a blimp for something that small.

ateixeira

If it really was $17.2k please tell me where because I'll go buy it right now.

-juice

odie6l

(all prices include destination as of 06/06/06 from Mazda USA)
Mazda5 Sport - Base MSRP - $17,995.
Mazda5 Sport - Loaded - (5spd)$20,110, (4auto)$21,350.

Mazda5 Touring - Base MSRP - $19,510.
Mazda5 Touring - Loaded - (5spd)$22,075, (4auto)$23,325.

You can only get the Nav system, and I did not add the Sirius Radio upgrade on any of the vehicles, but otherwise, the prices above have EVERY OPTION.

So prices range from $18k - $24k (includeing Sirius).

Odie
Odie's Garage

navigator89

a white Aston Martin DB9. Looks really nice.

Also saw a blue Porsche Carrera Cabriolet, a red Porsche Carrera 4S.

lemko

...red Ford Fusion and silver Mazda RX8.

gsemike

I was in a hotel partking lot last night where I got to see a Lucerne CXS close up. I think that it is a nice looking car, but why does it have four bolt holes across the back bumper? Granted, they color key the covers, but there remains a dark outline that is visible from a distance. It's a very low rent touch and has no place on the "American Lexus". There was alos a new Impala and that didn't have the bolt holes. Even Kias and Suzukis don't have them anymore.

It's dumb stuff like that lack of attention to detail that turns people off to GM.

chuck1959

I could be mistaken, but I beilieve those "bolt holes" are sensors, that while backing up it sounds an alert to the driver if there is anything behind them.

imidazol97

Those "bolt holes" are on many cars, including the other more accepted foreign brands IIRC. They are sensors for the ultrasonic sensors that sense objects nearing the bumper. It's on many cars. I suspect if they are spotted on a Mercedes or Lexus, they would not have been criticized; on a GM, criticize?

british_rover

I love it when people just jump to anti-GM biasis instantly. The guy probably has no idea wat Park Distance Control is and has never seen it before.

Something I have noticed on mostly ford products that have Park Distance control is that instead of color coding the sensors they leave them black. Looks really really bad and is just very poorly done. How much more would it cost to have them color coded to match the bumper?

ateixeira

They should be mounted in the license plate area somewhere. Or just use a camera instead of sonar. I think they look tacky, too. I can't imagine they can't make that seamless.

To be an equal-opportunity critic, nothing it worse than the exhaust plug on some Volvos. Some models have dual exhaust, and others don't. But they cost-cut and only made one bumper. So the single-exhaust models have a cheesy looking plug to cover the hole where the 2nd exhaust tip would have been. Horrendous.

Any how, saw a Ridgeline in DC today, not many of those in the city.

Also saw a RAV4 Limited, they're everywhere now.

Finally, saw an STS.

-juice

british_rover

In order to get equal coverage all around and to see the corners of the car some they must be precisly mounted in key locations so that their scan area overlaps. Every once in a while I see a car that only has two mounted by the rear license plate and that means there is a big gap in coverage. Basicly the automaker is being cheap.

To get complete coverage including corners you must mount at least four sensors and the two outboard ones must be mounted at an angle near the edge of the bumpers.

Next time you see a Range Rover up close take a look at their PDC sensor coverage it is nearly perfect. I can navigate those cars in the showroom almost purely with the PDC system and no spotters.

ateixeira

Are those seamless? I'm sure it's possible. They could mount behind the bumper. It's sonar, no line of sight required.

-juice

british_rover

They are flush to the bumper skin but you can still see their outline and you do need Line of site in order for the sensor to process the return signal. If they tried to do it through plastic it would not work.

ateixeira

Thanks, I stand corrected.

I'd prefer a camera, and with NAV screens becoming more common that's an easy upgrade.

Pioneer sells in-dash NAV systems and the camera adds just $100 to the overall cost of the system.

-juice

british_rover

After for working for UPS, all of their trucks have back up cameras but they are trained to use them in conjuction with the main mirrors, cameras are kind of overrated. The problem is that even with fisheye lenses people rely on them to heavily. They should just be used as a guide and not focused on exclusively.

ateixeira

I make it a habit of checking what's behind me before I get in the car!

Then you have to keep looking at the mirrors to see if anything comes in to your path, though.

-juice

gsemike

Just to clarify, I do have an anti GM bias based on personal experience and I wouldn't like the holes on any car.

navigator89

a white Range Rover Sport, and two redesigned Explorers, in silver and beige.

Also a blue Nissan Tiida (Versa).

lemko

Spotted a silver-gray Honda S2000 this morning.

ateixeira

I saw a BMW 1 series yesterday, driving in Potomac, MD. It had diplomatic plates, obviously.

It might be the only one in the country, for all I know. It was debadged so I'm not sure which model it was, but it was a 5 door, silver.

-juice

teds1

Wow that is a good one. I love seeing something whcih clearly doesn't belong here like the right hand drive Alpine I saw last year.
The 1 series is cool although I don't think that Euro "hot hatch" culture would go over here too well. Driving my rented Fiat panda in Italy last year (awesome little car BTW) I was passed by many 130ds which made me jealous. Unfortunately they make people here think of the woeful 318 hatch.

ateixeira

Yeah, at a party I met a guy with a Renault Espace, he even gave me a ride in it.

-juice

navigator89

Here's a unique car that you don't see everyday. I saw an orange Lamborghini Diablo today. It was so incredibly low, and the tires were fat. I actually felt it looked really dated compared to the Gallardo and Murcielago. The one I saw was probably from the mid to late 90s.

prosa

Saw my first one today, in a parking lot. I was quite surprised at just how small it was. For some reason I had been thinking it would've been around the size of maybe a Mazda5, in fact it's more like an Aveo's size.

kyfdx

These two were side by side, about 50 yards in front of me, heading down the street...

Remarkably similar shape from behind..

Really.... I know, I know.. it was just the first thing I thought when I saw them...

carguy58

Yeah I have seen a few Fits popping up around NJ. As a matter of fact I saw a Fit with new car dealer tags today outside a shopping mall that I went too.

BTW, Doesn't the Fit look like a car esentially designed for the European market instead of the NA market? As a Honda fan it(the Fit) in my opinion doesn't blend in styling DNA wise with the rest of the Honda line-up. I should also add the plastics in the interior look very high quality in the Fit that I saw today.

prosa

BTW, Doesn't the Fit look like a car esentially designed for the European market instead of the NA market? As a Honda fan it(the Fit) in my opinion doesn't blend in styling DNA wise with the rest of the Honda line-up.

You are right. There's a sort of "Honda look" that the existing models have, but the Fit doesn't. It's hard to be more precise.

odie6l

I was up in Mt. Gretna at The Jigger Shop Ice Cream Parlor with my daughter and got to see 2 Lamborghini Gallardo's, one yellow, and one black. Talk about a nice car, but boy did it look small on the inside.

Odie
Odie's Carspace Garage

stickguy

I think my first on on the road.

Driven by the target demo: A couple that looked to be at least 65-75 YO. They could have been the parents of the couple in "American Gothic"

fintail

I saw a couple of those newly grilled Lincoln pickups today. Not as pimpy as the photos made it look, but still pretty stupid.